Former Foxtel executive Fraser Stark has died at the age of 48, following a battle with illness.
Stark, who held the role of Group General Manager – Entertainment & Music for several years, passed away last week.
He spent over a decade at Foxtel, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the network’s entertainment and arts output.
Joining the subscription broadcaster in 2008 as a Programme Executive, he quickly worked his way up the corporate ladder.
He ultimately oversaw many channels including History, Bio, and Foxtel Arts, as well as leading major commissions and programming initiatives.
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Former Foxtel executive Fraser Stark has died at the age of 48, following a battle with illness
During his time at the company, Stark was instrumental in delivering major projects such as Miriam Margolyes’ Peter and the Wolf Fire Fight Australia, A Night with Michael Bublé, CMC Rocks, the Helpmann Awards and Studio Max.
He also helped launch several popular themed channels including FOX Funny, FOX Hits and FOX Sci-Fi, and led key campaigns during 2016’s marriage equality plebiscite.
In 2020, Stark departed Foxtel to take up a leadership role at the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, where he served as Chief of Marketing & Business Development for several years.
Foxtel Group CEO Patrick Delany led tributes to the beloved executive in a statement.
‘We are deeply saddened by the loss of Fraser, a valued colleague who spent 12 impactful years at Foxtel from 2008 to 2020, most recently serving as Group General Manager – Entertainment & Music,’ he began.
‘Fraser had a genuine passion for advancing the entertainment and arts industry. He was a supportive and inclusive leader who uplifted those around him, earning the respect and admiration of his colleagues.
‘On behalf of the Foxtel Group, we express our condolences to his family, and everyone who was close to him.’
A memorial service will be held at 11am on Friday, June 20 at Sydney’s Waverley Cemetery in Bronte.
Stark spent over a decade at Foxtel, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the network’s entertainment and arts output
Stark’s passing follows reports that Foxtel has signed a major deal with U.S. entertainment giant NBCUniversal.
Viewers will now have access to a vast library of new content, as well as favourites including the Fast and Furious and Jurassic Park franchises.
The new partnership also means Foxtel and its streaming services like Binge will have exclusive rights to first-run series, reports Variety Australia.
This will include shows produced for brands like Sky Studios, Universal International Studios and NBCU’s Peacock platform.
Thanks to the new deal, Foxtel will also stream drama, comedy, reality and news from NBCU.
Foxtel subscribers can also look forward to seeing films like the World War II drama Oppenheimer, starring Cillian Murphy and the George Clooney movie Ticket to Paradise.
